Our little Getaway

Back in December we decided we were going to book a cruise for our 7th anniversary this year. Last year we didn't nothing, and I sadly mean nothing because I had just had Parley and no one does anything with a 3 week old baby but attempt to sleep. They year before we passed on celebrating cause it was Brooklyn and Kys birthdays and its too hard to escape right in-between their birthdays, and all that Spring jumble we all participate in like soccer, planting, etc.
So, this year was going to make up for it! We wanted to go before the actual anniversary in May because like I say, we have 3 birthdays, and I hate to run away right around all the planning and preparations of it all. So, March was the chosen month. Found the perfect cruise for the perfect price and booked it.
Fast Forward to when I found out I was pregnant and about died! NO!! Im going on a cruise! Have huge plans to drop lots of weight before I am in swim suits and such. Then the panic that I would be too far along to do anything, or even cruise. I was a panic mess. Good thing I was only 14 weeks and they don't stop prego cruisers till 24 weeks. BUT, this did testify to me that 'Someone' knew that I was pregnant when we booked it and that we had to go in March or it would have been too late. I talked to my dr about it, and his advice first was to ensure no blood clots on our long flight and told me what to do and then his next advice, "Don't tell anyone your pregnant or they wont let you do ANYTHING as far as shore excursions. Your fine to do anything except scuba diving or anything really bumpy." Simple enough. But, boy was he right. I lied a lot and signed a lot of papers saying I was indeed not pregnant and each time died laughing inside. Good thing im just 'fluffy' enough no one would dare ask if I was pregnant for fear I might just say, "Nope just fat!" my plan if someone did ever ask was to say, "heavens no, my baby is only 10 months old, how crazy do you think I am!" Which would quickly silence anyone not from Utah or LDS.

So the trip. It was wonderful. Relaxing. Quiet--ish. Time ALONE with Brandon, priceless.

The first night on the ship

Our first port was in Key West. We had booked a snorkeling excursion. But it was SOOOO windy and I had my doubts, and they came true. We hustled off the ship early in the morning just to find it was canceled. Bummer. But, I remembered the last time I was there, with a lot of young adults. I think I was 17 or so. We rented scooters and rode the island. So that's what we did! It turned out so fun. I loved the wind in my face. Stopping and looking at my own speed. The water was freezing when we went to the beach and made me kinda thankful I wasn't out swimming. :)

Us and our little stow away present in Key West 2014

 After Key West that night was formal night. I sure do love this handsome man.

Second stop was Cozumel and we booked the Amazing Secret River Tour. It was beautiful and amazing. We loved it. We had a fun group and leader. I enjoyed the whole day. It was spent all day down under the ground, so sadly we didn't get any sort of a tan or got in that beautiful blue water, but I wouldn't trade that experience. I really love exploring things and I love caves!

 Our group...we had a couple that worked on the ship and it was their day off. She was from Ukrain and he was from Mexico City. They were so cute and nice. Then a couple (im guessing a match from the internet) He lives in Greece and she is from Florida. They were my favorite. So nice. Then another couple celebrating dating for a year from....umm I want to say Nebraska or one of the Dakodas. The of course our leader guy.

 These caves were ancient religious places for the Myans. There was an alter right as you went in and other signs that they used these often and that they were very sacred places. So to keep with Myan tradition they had to 'cleans' us. So the man in white prayed in Myan and then covered us in smoke ot make us clean. Then off to the caves....please, that wet suit not flattering im sorry you have to see this. :)

Then we had a day at sea. We slept in, took a nap, ate lots of food. I got a much needed massage while Brandon took another nap. We had a wonderful relaxing day of entertainment and nothing to do and wonderful (alcohol free of course) strawberry daiquiris and Pina Coladas! Im still craving that Pina Colada from brunch!

Then back home. We had mega drama for about 2 hours. We went to check in at the Miami Airport and it wouldn't let us at the kiosk. I was frustrated, finally went and talked to the people and his simple reply, "But ma'am your ticket is for April 16th not March 16th, and im sorry we are all booked up today. Call this number and see if they can help you. There is nothing I can do." WHAT!!!!! I need my babies. Im pretty sure my mom doesn't want my kids for another month! I wont fit in my clothes in a month! I want to get home!
Called the number and got the most helpful nice woman I have ever talked to in costumer service. I told her our problem. She started tying away. First option, You can spend $600 each on top of what we had already spent on tickets and we could fly out of Miami and get home by 8 that night. Um, NO WAY! So she types away.
Ok I found one for you Marci, you need to run outside, find a shuttle to take you to FT. Lauderdale airport (45 minutes away in good traffic) and get there in that 45 minutes cause the flight leaves in 1 hour and 30 minutes. I will wave the transfer fee of $200 per ticket and just charge you $22 total for the change. But you have to go NOW! Do you want it. YES YES YES, we ran outside demanded a fast shuttle. Miracle of miracles no traffic in the slightest. We jumped out ran to check in and the lines were like a sight from a horror story at Disney Land! Oh my goodness. We talked to the attendant at the back and they pushed us up to the front we checked our bag and then waited eternity in the security check. We got through I had to eat because I was already feeling so sick, thanks to the baby baking in the oven. Brandon went to beg that we could sit together, I came back inhaled (literally) my food and we got on the plane. We then had the most awesome seats...we were over the wing so we were the emergency exit people...oh heavenly. Then to make it even better the stewardess had to sit in the pull down seat in front of us, and it was so turbulent she couldn't get up. She was so friendly. So fun to talk to. I thoroughly enjoyed that flight. Then a huge 4 hour layover that I thought would never end, and the last long leg of the flight. Then driving home we finally got home at 130AM (our original flight Brandon booked was supposed to make it so we could be home in bed at 9PM bummer, it didn't work, but we were so blessed to still make it home for work and our family the next day. Bumpy end but a perfect vacation.


While we were gone, my mom did her end of spoiling the kids rotten. Here are some pictures she sent me of them during their visit. It was their nightly treat to get sherbet. I think they all enjoyed it! :)

11 months

I really want to catch back up on Parleys not-so-monthly monthly updates before his one year, so that can really focus on that celebration.

This baby. Oh this baby. We adore him. He is loved by all, and I mean that. Anyone at the store ooohs and aaahs over him. He goes to anyone and will offer snuggles and kisses. He loves his brother and sister even though they torture him with a few too many hugs, kisses and big over-the-top wrestles.

In short here is our boy in simple bullets. . . .

*He got tubes put in on his 11 month bday. This allowing the horrible ear infection he has had literally since January to finally release and give him peace. It broke mine and Brandons hearts when he came out and every little sound shocked him. They dr said he couldn’t really hear well because of all the fluid that had been in there for so long. Things as simple as a door opening shocked him. Makes me thankful for modern medicine.

Funny story, we were holding him and the nurse came to take him back to the OR for the procedure. ParJay not only went to her willingly he gave her a huge slobbery kiss and snuggled in to her. He melted that woman to a mush right in front of us. I hope she had a perfect day after receiving random perfect love from my baby boy.

*He doesn’t talk much, most likely due to the fact that he couldn’t hear for the last 3 months. He mostly growls like a lion, makes fishy kiss noises, and says dadada and says da (say it like Russian or Romanian for yes) for doggy. Although Monday after he woke from his nap he said mama for the first time in months, and just today tried to say “Uh Oh” so I’m sure he will catch up quick now.

*He loves dogs. He gets so extremely excited to see Sadie our doggie. He kisses her which is disgusting to me. He pulls her ears and hair climbs up on her and unless she pulls too hard on her ears, she just lets him have at her. They make a great pair.

 

*He waves bye bye and now blows kisses too

*Me and Brandons best way to describe his personality is determined. He is the most determined infant I know, or have ever known. You cannot redirect him when he is doing something he shouldn’t. He will go right back. He knows what he wants to do and will try every trick in his tiny book to get it done. I look forward to seeing him develop this trait. What a fabulous trait to have if put in good healthy bounds. He will be unstoppable as an adult.

*He can sleep through the night, but teething and his ears have made it rough for him. And I'm a sucker for him, so he gets mommy rocks and a bottle at 4AM lately.

*He is spoiled, just as Brooklyn was, because I feel I need a few moments with my babies everyday quiet, and I rock him to sleep for his nap. I adore this time and dont let it go without a fight. With daycare somedays are harder, but if I get them all busy with something I can 98% of the time pull away for 10 minutes of Parley time. He is the snuggliest, wonderful lovey boy.

*He is finally pulling himself up to things and just barely this week trying to walk along furniture. Oh how I pray he is walking in the next months. I want a walking baby for summer camping trips.

*He loves his baths. He is a wild man in our big tub. He sticks his face clear down in the water and comes up just giggling. Tends to scare me a little, but he always comes back up and is aways to happy. He doesn’t however like baths with brother and sister. He gets nervous and mad at them. He likes his tub time to himself.

*He adores his daddy. And adore might not describe it accurately. When Brandon walks in the door he puts his head down and crawls like a champion to him and head butts him until he picks him up. Its hilarious and so adorable. Brandon is everything to this boy.

*He is by far my littlest baby. He is right around 18 pounds. He still wears mostly 9 month clothes. 12 month pants drown the poor boy. Some 12 month shirts fit, but they look huge on him. Im in trouble come summer, cause Kyler was gigantic and wearing 18 month clothes at the same age.

*Brooklyn has officially named him “BooBoo” and it has stuck. I call him it, Ky does, daddy does sometimes, its spreading like wildfire. He is mostly called BooBoo or ParJay these days.

*He is a teaser!! He has perfected this and its hilarious. When my mom brought him back after our trip I put my arms out for him to come to me, and he looked at me and reached then threw himself back at my mom giving her hugs. I say oh par you break my heart, He turns and gives the most hilarious teaser face and jumps out of her arms to me. He knows he is funny!

In short, we love this boy. He is a happy, funny little boy that lights up our lives. Keep it up Par, we love you!!



With that mean relentless ear infection he ended up with an eye infection too. His one eye is all swollen in this picture. But he was still happy as could be eating corn flakes.

Sunggles with daddy after getting his tubes in

His preferred way to drink his cup
I ended up with a day off work somehow and snatched some good friends kids and ran to the park. They all had a blast taking Par down the slide.

Parely and His Sadie or Da

We went down to the farm to feed the horses with daddy and Parley got his first horse encounter. He was nervous at first but loved petting them after daddy showed him how soft and nice.

This boy loves to swing. He claps almost the whole time.

Parley loves our new chicks! He growls at them.

 

This kid has awesome facial expressions

Even heartbroken with a tear and all I cant help but to snatch a picture. I had told him no no when he was spitting his food out and playing in it. Mean mom.  

 My naptime snuggles.

 

 Once upon a time there was a baby boy named parley and he loved the sandbox. He figured out how to tip himself into the box over the logs and nose dive in. At first he just ran his fingers in it, then his legs and arms...then to finish off exploring this fantastic new stuff he had to taste it. Yummy!

 Ky is such a great big brother. He rode for a good 30 mintues on the zebra with ParJay the other day. They both giggled the entire time.

Sitting like such a big boy in grandma Jo's kid chair.

 I made cookies the other day for a party I was hosting and he wanted up with me...this kid was not going to give up till he got one of those delicious looking balls of sugar cookie dough

 so I gave him the scoop :)

 Oh I love this baby!!